Winless in the pre-season, Habs drop 5-1 decision to Blackhawks

MONTREAL -- Chicago's Kyle Baun Jersey scored twice and added an assist as the Chicago Blackhawks downed the Montreal Canadiens 5-1 in NHL pre-season action on Friday night at the Bell Centre.

Ryan Garbutt, Garrett Ross and Jan Hejda also scored for the Blackhawks (2-1-0).

Zack Kassian scored for the Canadiens (0-1-2) in his second game with the team since being traded in the off-season.

The game was Montreal's second in three nights. The Habs lost 4-3 in a shootout versus the Washington Capitals on Thursday and will take on the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Saturday.

Down 3-0, Kassian gave the Habs hope when his backhand shot beat goalie Scott Darling 25 seconds into the second period, but that was the only offence the home side could muster on the night.

The Blackhawks were without Patrick Kane, who's the subject of an ongoing police investigation. Kane has been accused of sexual assault but has not been charged in an alleged incident dating back to August.


Also absent from Chicago's lineup were Jonathan Toews, Corey Crawford, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Marian Hossa.
Montreal fared poorly against Chicago's depleted lineup, however.

Garbutt deflected a David Rundblad shot from the point past Carey Price at 8:41 of the opening frame, and Ross completed a nifty tic-tac-toe play two minutes later to give Chicago the 2-0 lead.

Baun scored his first of the encounter at 13:48 of the first period and added his second -- on a deflection -- three minutes into the third.

Hejda added Chicago's fifth in to an empty net.

Montreal's most experienced line -- Brian Flynn, Tomas Plekanec and Brendan Gallagher -- recorded nine of Montreal's 23 shots.

Backup goalies didn't play on Friday, as Price and Darling Jersey played a full 60 minutes. Price made 26 saves on 30 shots while Darling stopped 22 shots.

Montreal's Ryan Johnston left the game early in the third period after taking a hit from Garbutt along the boards. He returned later in the frame.

Habs forward Gabriel Dumont also went to the dressing room in the third after being hit by Chicago's Chris Desousa.
Prospects Nicolas Blanchard and Jeremy Gregoire made their Canadiens debut. Charles Hudon and defenceman Brett Lernout played for the second straight match.

Prior to puck drop, Montreal honoured former Hab Francis Bouillon, who retired Friday.